ANTS 179 



Another temporary expedient and one which may dis- 

 courage the ants enough to finally stop them from coming 

 is to soak small sponges in sweetened water and place 

 them where the insects are most numerous. The ants 

 will crawl into the pores of the sponges in great numbers 

 and may be killed by dropping the sponge and all into 

 boiling water. This process may be repeated over and 

 over and thousands of the workers destroyed. In cases 

 in which this has been given a thorough and persistent 

 trial, the ants have become so discouraged and bewildered 

 by the sudden loss of so many workers that they have 

 finally abandoned the house entirely. 



A sirup made by dissolving sugar and borax in boiling 

 water will attract and kill many of the ants. It is said 

 also that camphor, either free or wrapped loosely in 

 paper, and placed around the foods attracting them will 

 drive the ants away. 



Often the ants may be traced, if carefully watched, and 

 the crack or opening through which they enter discovered. 

 When found, kerosene oil should be squirted into it or it 

 should be tightly plugged with cotton soaked in kerosene. 

 This is often an effective preventive. 



Ordinary ants may be prevented from reaching tables 

 by setting the legs in cups containing a little water with 

 kerosene oil on the surface. This method does not seem 

 to avail much with the Argentine ant. At least, these 

 ants soon manage to cross the oil often on a causeway 

 formed from the dead bodies of their sacrificed comrades. 

 But against the red ant and the little black ant the film 

 of oil is an effective barrier until it evaporates, when it 

 must be renewed. 



Cyanide of potassium has been used with marked effect 



